Masahiro Sakurai has confirmed that the development team behind Kirby Air Riders will be disbanded soon, marking a significant transition period for the recently released Nintendo Switch 2 title. The update follows the launch of version 1.2.0, which arrived earlier, and provides clarity on what players can expect as the game reaches a stable post-launch phase. Sakurai shared the information while commenting on the latest patch, noting that only a limited window for further adjustments remains.
According to Sakurai, “Kirby Air Ride does not have a development structure that supports DLC or similar content.” He added that “the team responsible will also be disbanding in the near future.” With this in mind, the plan is to focus on achieving a final round of refinements before the studio concludes its work. As he explained, “We might be able to implement one more adjustment, but after that, please enjoy the completed balance as is.”
The news arrives as Kirby Air Riders continues to capture attention as a high-profile sequel to the 2003 GameCube classic Kirby Air Ride. Developed under Sakurai’s direction for the first time in more than two decades, the game launches players into fast-paced action across multiple modes, including Air Ride, Top Ride, and the expanded City Trial, now offering online play for up to sixteen participants.
With no downloadable content planned and the title free from major issues, it appears reasonable that Sakurai may transition to another project. There is a possibility that his next move could involve a new Smash Bros. entry, or perhaps a return to Kid Icarus, though no official statement has been made in this regard. For now, Kirby Air Riders stands as a completed experience, with one final balance update expected before the team formally closes its work.
